We've been cleaning out the tack room and have decided to sell a few saddles that don't get use very often. (Aren't you happy dad?) If any of you buy this saddle I'm sure it will make my dad's day. He likes to tell people we have dozens of saddles. Not true. However, we just might, maybe, possibly, have one or two that we don't use as much as the others.

So, here's the first one.

It's a Circle Y Flex Tree Arabian Saddle. It has only been used a handful of times, and is in great condition. No discolorations, scratches or tears. It is a size 14 seat. It is really comfortable, and fits our arabian perfectly. It is dark brown with a black seat. Brand new this saddle sells for $1,450. We are asking $1,000.

In other news....Moon is great. Loving the new barn. My new trainer is wonderful, and Dennis, the barn owner, is the nicest guy in the world. He's a quarterhorse guy and has taken a special liking to Moon. I think he almost gives Moon more treats than me! Every time he sees Moon he whistles, and says, "Now that's a great looking horse."

Moon's never had so many compliments! Our first show this year is May 10th. We've been getting ready. Next week I have a dressage clinic right before the show.

Today is "Extra credit doggy day" in biology. For extra credit you can bring in a purebred dog. I'm bringing Jai, our Bouvier. Yesterday he got an extra long bath and he feels like a teddy bear. I'm pretty sure he'll be the cutest dog at school!

I moved into a much bigger locker at the barn today. I have been waiting to get a bigger locker for a while. I was finally overly crowded in my smaller one. I went from a two-shelf locker to a five-shelf locker with a saddle rack built in. Quite the transfer!

My old locker was really starting to get unorganized. It was nice to be able to see the the white bottom of my new locker. Now, I can actually get to one thing without knocking over a bunch of others or spilling any fly spray. Finally I can bring some of my other sheets and saddle pads out to the barn. I have extra storage. So to anyone at the barn who wants a new locker I've got one for a two day trial. (Well it is actually free. If you want it just move on in.)

I love my Dover Catalogs. Other people go to the mall, but I flip through Dover. Last year when we went to Hawaii we took our brand new dover catalogs with us for the long plane ride. We went thgough every item on every page. We made big wish lists. Dad watched us circling stuff in Dover and rolled his eyes a lot.

Today when I got home from school there was a box at the front door from Dover. Getting a Dover package is like Christmas! I grabbed the box and ran inside to open it. Today Moon got new bell boots and I got new half-chaps. Dad thinks Moon's bell boots look like toilet plungers, which I think Moon would find very insulting.

As my mom was growing up she spent summers on the ranch helping to put the hay up every year. She drove the scatter rake. As payment for her hard work one year her grandpa bought her a saddle. We've been collecting saddles ever since.

The saddle in this photo is special to me because it was my first english saddle, and I think it's still the most comfortable saddle I've owned. I don't know if I'll ever be able to part with it because there are so many memories associated with it, some good, some not so good.

It was this saddle I took to my first show, on a little pony named Clem. Another pony, named Charlotte threw me out of this saddle and I got my first concussion. See, lots of memories.

Right now, I have a Berney saddle for jumping. It's black and I love it. I recently got a new dressage saddle because I'd grown out of my old one. My new dressage saddle is a Kieffer Wein Excellent....absolutely the best dressage saddle ever. I also have a western saddle for trail riding and desert camps. Once or twice a year our trainer takes a group of us to a desert camp. Sometimes it's in the desert, sometimes the mountains. We trail ride and jump logs, and camp for about 5 days. It's always so much fun, (except for the year we all got the stomach flu!)

Mom also has a saddle collection she treasures. She has saddles that fit Pharaoh, because he's an Arabian and has to have his own saddles, and a Kieffer as well that she uses when she rides Keiki. Then, we have "guest saddles" in case we invite someone to ride with us. Anyone up for a ride?

Every now and then dad shakes his head and asks how many saddles we own. We just smile and ask him if he wants to ride with us that day.

I saw these brushes at jennyoz.com and had to spread the word. Who wouldn't want a brush with bling?

They have lots of different brushes to choose from and I think the bling will make them easier to find when they're buried in my grooming bag. Santa, if you're reading this blog, please take this under advisement. And remember, I think I've been pretty good, but as I'm sure you already know, Moon's been nearly perfect.
Love, Maddy

I recently organized my locker and since it doesn't always look this neat I thought I should take the picture now. It's amazing how much stuff you need to ride beyond just the basic tack.

A: My Charles Owens Eventing helmet. Helmets are very important. Last year I got two concussions, then I got this new helmet. I haven't really had a bad fall since getting this helmet, but hopefully I won't get any more concussions. The first happened last winter. One of the naughtier ponies in the barn took off bucking and left me on the ground with blurry vision. I felt hazy and confused, and my head hurt a lot. The second concussion happend at Camp and Rally, during the summer.

B: My bridle and show halter. Clean and ready to use.

C: My paddock boots. It's just about time to start wearing my winter boots. These aren't warm enough now.

D: My Tipperary Vest. Again, important for safety.

E. Grooming supplies. Your horse can never be too clean!

F: Treats, because Moon deserves them everyday.

G: What you don't see is the mice hiding in the corners waiting to eat my popcorn, or any other snacks I keep in my locker. I've started using plastic containers to keep them out. I guess the cats around the barn are slackers.

H. I have a bunch of other stuff that doesn't fit in my locker, a dressage saddle, a jumping saddle, show gear, but more on that later.